Austin Hooper vs Isaiah Likely: The Full Breakdown
The gap between Austin Hooper and Isaiah Likely is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.6 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 PPG with the New England Patriots across 15 games, and Isaiah Likely posted 3.4 with the New York Giants in 14.
When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.
Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Austin Hooper had 32 catches for 292 yards; Isaiah Likely posted 27 for 307. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.
Austin Hooper has his bye in Week 14, and Isaiah Likely rests in Week 11. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
